St John's: An Introductory Reader

By Rudolf Steiner and Matthew Barton

Rudolf Steiner, the often undervalued, multifaceted genius of modern times, contributed much to the regeneration of culture. In addition to his philosophical teachings, he provided ideas for the development of many practical activities, including education - both general and special - agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, religion and the arts.Steiner's original contribution to human knowledge was based on his ability to conduct 'spiritual research', the investigation of metaphysical dimensions of existence. With his scientific and philosophical training, he brought a new systematic discipline to the field, allowing for conscious methods and comprehensive results. A natural seer from childhood, he cultivated his spiritual vision to a high degree, enabling him to speak with authority on previously veiled mysteries of life.Samples of Steiner's work are to be found in this introductory reader in which Matthew Barton brings together excerpts from Steiner's many talks and writings on the festival of St John's. The volume also features an editorial introduction, afterword, commentary and notes.Chapters: Midsummer Dream, the Earth Breathes Out; Finding the Greater Self; 'He Must Increase, I Must Decrease'; Creating Vision.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rudolf Steiner Press
• Release date: May 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781855843288

Rudolf Steiner

Nineteenth and early twentieth century philosopher.

Book preview

author

RUDOLF STEINER (1861–1925) called his spiritual philosophy ‘anthroposophy’, meaning ‘wisdom of the human being’. As a highly developed seer, he based his work on direct knowledge and perception of spiritual dimensions. He initiated a modern and universal ‘science of spirit’, accessible to anyone willing to exercise clear and unprejudiced thinking.

From his spiritual investigations Steiner provided suggestions for the renewal of many activities, including education (both general and special), agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy, religion and the arts. Today there are thousands of schools, clinics, farms and other organizations involved in practical work based on his principles. His many published works feature his research into the spiritual nature of the human being, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods of personal development. Steiner wrote some 30 books and delivered over 6000 lectures across Europe. In 1924 he founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the world.

The glorious, radiant light of worlds

urges me from depths of soul

to deliver my life’s godly forces up,

setting them free in universal flight;

to leave myself, and trusting seek myself

only in world light and world warmth.

ST JOHN’S

Also available:

(Festivals)

Christmas

Easter

Michaelmas

Whitsun

(Practical Applications)

Agriculture

Architecture

Art

Education

Eurythmy

Medicine

Religion

Science

Social and Political Science

(Esoteric)

Alchemy

Atlantis

Christian Rozenkreutz

The Druids

The Goddess

The Holy Grail

RUDOLF STEINER

ST JOHN’S

An Introductory Reader

Compiled with an introduction, commentary and notes by

Matthew Barton

Sophia Books

Sophia Books

An imprint of Rudolf Steiner Press

Hillside House, The Square

Forest Row, RH18 5ES

www.rudolfsteinerpress.com

Published by Rudolf Steiner Press 2012

For earlier English publications of individual selections please see Sources

The material by Rudolf Steiner was originally published in German in various volumes of the ‘GA’ (Rudolf Steiner Gesamtausgabe or Collected Works) by Rudolf Steiner Verlag, Dornach. This authorized volume is published by permission of the Rudolf Steiner Nachlassverwaltung, Dornach (for further information see end of Note Regarding Rudolf Steiner's Lectures)

All translations revised by Matthew Barton

Matthew Barton would like to thank Margaret Jonas, librarian at Rudolf Steiner House, for her invaluable help in locating volumes used in compiling this book

This selection and translation © Rudolf Steiner Press 2007

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978 1 85584 328 8

Cover by Andrew Morgan

Typeset by DP Photosetting, Neath, West Glamorgan

CONTENTS

Introduction by Matthew Barton

MIDSUMMER DREAM: THE EARTH BREATHES OUT

1. Rising Asleep

2. Exhaling into Life

3. Cosmic Desire

4. Blossoming with the Flowers

FINDING THE GREATER SELF

5. Growing into Cosmic Depths

6. Listening for the Answer

7. The Ego Shines In

8. Lifting Language Up

‘HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE’

9. Creating the Vessel

10. From Sense to Spirit

11. Cleansing in Water, Renewing in Fire

12. Preparing the New

13. The Eternal Awakes in the Temporal

CREATING VISION

14. The Opening Lotus

15. The Heights, the Depths and the Human Heart

Afterword

Notes

Sources

Further Reading

Note Regarding Rudolf Steiner’s Lectures

Introduction

I remember an experience that often happened to me as a child, just before falling asleep. Under closed eyelids, in what Dylan Thomas called the ‘close and holy dark’, I saw myriad forms resembling vegetation multiplying endlessly in all directions as I floated over it, a burgeoning lush growth of foliage. It occurs to me now that this might relate to an experience of what Steiner calls the ‘etheric’ or ‘life’ body, composed of dynamic formative forces which we share with the plant world, and which sustain life and growth.

The vegetative, blossoming, fruiting growth of summer, says Steiner, is the earth’s sleeping and dreaming. In sleep, certainly, we go ‘out’ of ourselves, and at midsummer all of nature seems similarly to entice us to follow its unfolding, languorous dream. If we allow this season to work its magic on us we can feel unlocked into a more fluid, uplifted sphere than mundane realities otherwise allow.

But at the same time too, as Shakespeare so beautifully shows in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the veils between different worlds seem to grow more permeable and transparent at this season. The sprites and fairies of his midsummer forest intervene in human affairs and make fun of human foibles. In this summery twilight (= two-light) we see double: both the human and the elemental world at once. In going out of ourselves a little more at this season—like the lover, the lunatic and the poet in Shakespeare’s phrase—we can suddenly see more, though confusedly perhaps, shining in towards us foolish mortals from a fluid, dynamic, ethereal realm.

Steiner says in these lecture extracts that in ancient times human beings experienced this season as the only moment of the year when the windows of the heavens opened and they were ‘lifted’ towards their truest eternal being. Yet the message of St John the Baptist, whose festival falls close to the solstice,